I killed Cal. I killed Kilorn. Bree. Tramy. I get no time to wallow in my grief. Maven doesn't allow me that mercy.

The second the common Slivers leave, Evangeline and Iris join the court. They congratulate them on killing those "traitors" and "red rats". The court quickly leaves the arena though, after a hard look from Maven. He comes down to Samson and I with sentinels and my Arvens in tow. Samson releases me just as the Arvens return, bringing my silent stone manacles. They shut with a click. Maven dismisses them all without a passing glance. I know they will be waiting at the exit. Maven clucks his tongue.
"Oh, Mare. I told you. Disobedience would be punished. And I am a man of my word."

"What "disobedience"?" I demand, "Samson was in my mind the entire time, making sure I KILLED my family." Maven nods his head.

"Yes, and I'm very grateful for that. It was quite helpful. However, fighting for control is still disobedience." Maven calls Samson in. I barely have time to react as Samson reaches into my mind and forces me to blackout. I land beside the bodies of the dead.

I wake up in my room in Whitefire. We must be staying for a while, I think. As I sit up groggily, I realize something. I reach to my neck and feel a collar. A tauntingly beautiful collar. Suddenly, my head jerks and I turn to face Maven.

"How did you sleep?" He questions. I refuse to answer. He made me murder Cal, and everyone else I love.

"Maaare," he croons, "this isn't a question. You must answer."

"Fine." I force out through gritted teeth.

"That's better." Maven pats my head. I try to move away, but can't. "Don't resist Mare. Consequences can be deadly." I laugh a broken laugh.

"What can I loose now, Maven?"

"You could still loose a number of things Mare."

"Like my life?" I spit out. "I don't care about that."

"Exactly. But how about your niece?" I freeze. He continues, "However, things don't have to be material, do they Mare? It could be your dignity, your sanity, your spirit, or pride. So tread lightly lightning girl. If you have trouble finding respect for me, I have a solution. You may now address me as your majesty." I lunge at him. He reels backward in pain. "Well, Mare. I see I have my work cut out for me." He drags me to his chambers. I see two chairs but he motions to a siental to remove one. He sits in the remaining one. A sentail brings in two dog bowls, one with water, one with toast. Maven inclines his head. "Sit." He points at the ground. I give him a shocked look, he can't be serious. "You heard me. Sit." Out of everything I've been forced to do, this is the most dehumanizing. I glare at him. He has the gaul to smirk at me. I sit down and begin to hunch over to eat. I am glad toast doesn't require being incredibly proper, being forced to drink water like a dog is humiliating enough. Without warning, Maven jerks me up.

"I'm sorry Mare. But you're on my side. And if you're on my side, I'm in charge. Until you learn to obey me, you are reduced to a pet. Not a doll. That is a privilege. Do we have an understanding, Mare?" I scoff. If a doll is a privilege I truly have fallen far. I want to refuse, to jump up and scream at him. To rip his eyes out of his skull. However, Maven holds my leash. So, I refuse my very instincts.

"Yes." I growl. Maven holds a hand to his ear.

"Yes, What?"

"Yes, your majesty." The words sound vile in my mouth. They burn like his brand. Maven pats my head.

"Good girl."

The Arvens take me back to my room. We pass no servents, but perhaps it's because of the attack on Whitefire recently. They're probably cleaning like crazy. It takes all my willpower not to scream and cry and wreck my room. I am finally allowed to grieve. What did they think when I sent lightning bolts their way? Did they feel angry? Scared? Accepting? I know I am why they died. I am to blame.

Julian and Sara Skonos weren't in arena, but I suspect there somewhere near. Maven, he wasn't content with me killing Cal, or Cal being out of the way. No, he had to make sure he could own me. That I would his to torment and toy with forever. To be obsessed with, and to watch slowly break into what he wishes. Part of me wants to. But I won't let him, He won't!

I let out my rage by ripping apart everything in my room. I might be in Maven's world, but he cannot control me always.